Bill W., an illuminating film about the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, is pretty much
like the man himself: solid, flawed at times and unflashy.

The proceedings don’t always make for scintillating drama — this is a workmanlike, educational
effort — but
Bill W. more than succeeds in shedding light on a figure who has affected the lives of
millions of people, yet about whom many know little.

The documentary soars highest when we hear powerful recordings from William G. Wilson, who died
in 1971. He tells the story of his first drink, of how alcohol ruined him and of the inspiration
behind forming Alcoholics Anonymous and its famous 12 steps.

More hit-and-miss are the re-enactments — of a drunken Bill W. or an audience enraptured as he
tells his life story. One can understand why the filmmakers resorted to the scenes: There’s only so
much archival footage of a man who thrived on secrecy and died 40 years ago.

Though well-crafted, the re-creations take us out of the moment.

Still, this is a story that needs to be told. And Bill W.’s lifelong struggles — and
achievements — will have resonance for generations to come.